Tablet computing: instructional technology group

The paper ” Tablet Computing: Instructional Technology Group” is an outstanding example of an essay on information technology. In today’s society, computers, tablets, and iPads have become part and parcel of many people. In fact, even the old aged who were at first reluctant and even opposed to the use of these electronic gadgets are beginning to learn and develop a liking for them. Essentially, among the factors that have provoked them to learn this technology is the fact that they bring with them innumerable benefits that cannot be ignored. The Instructional Technology Group (ITG) report denoted Tablet Computing at WFU presents us with an ideal case study on the advantages of using tablet PCs as gadgets of enhancing the learning process. As such, it is important to critically analyze the impact that the tablet PC’s have towards the enhancement of the learning process in educational institutions. According to ITG Report, the use of tablet computing is of great importance to the learning process and hence the Work Forest University (WFU) ought to create a flexible program that would enable tutors to access and make use of tablets (Murphy et al. 2). This, therefore, implies that the use of tablet computing can increase learning efficiency since it provides both tutors and students with additional advantages over the normal learning process. To illustrate, Gutiérrez points out that the use of these gadgets is incredibly enjoyable since it decreases time wasted during erasing of the board (Murphy et al. 2). In addition, Turkett, a Computer Science professor also identifies that the use of tablets increases the time efficiency used to review and annotate student codes (Murphy et al. 3). Therefore, the use of tablet PC’s enhanced efficiency and extended the learning process beyond the confines of the university.
Equally important, the use of tablet computing reduces the wastage of resources and acts as an important compromise to traditional teaching platforms. For instance, Raynor, a Maths professor, points out that besides increasing the number of handouts and solution that can be generated, the use of tablets presents computerized solutions, which to a great extent reduces paper wastage. Moreover, Alexander also identifies that the use of tablets has enabled him to compromise between using the PowerPoint and writing on the white or blackboard (Murphy et al. 3). Furthermore, Tarte identifies that the tablets have provided students with the opportunity of handing in their drafts in one assignment, after which the assignments are annotated and sent back electronically (Murphy et al. 4). Basically, the use of paper to produce handouts can be such an extensive and expensive process, particularly when one is dealing with a huge number of students. Likewise, handing in assignments through paperwork could be time and resource-consuming since each draft would be presented as a different assignment. Thus, the fact that tablet computing eliminates this bulkiness makes it important in the learning process.
Conversely, although the use of tablet computing has proved to be important, it also presents some disadvantages. Being electronic devices, tablets are subject to breakdowns and other dangerous processes that can hinder the learning process. For instance, Gutiérrez identifies that as a result of his tablet’s crash, he lost “ 500 photos of El Salvador” and a large number of PowerPoints (Murphy et al. 5). The loss of important teaching material can be a great blow to the learning process since it could not only lead to demotivation among teachers and students but also result to the disappearance of important data such as grading marks. In addition, tablets have also various usability issues that can be a disadvantage in the teaching and learning process. For example, the X6o tablet contains a relatively small hard drive that “ fills up pretty first” (Murphy et al. 5). Although one could argue that there are tablets which have relatively more hard drive spaces, it is worth noting that these tablets could be highly expensive and thus barely affordable.
In conclusion, the use of tablet computing can highly enhance efficiency in the learning process. The Tablet Computing Case Study clearly argues and prevents evidence that equipping professors with the right tablets could enhance the teaching process not only in WFU but across all learning institutions. Although on some occasions tablet computing has had some flaws such as usability issues, breakdown, and loss of data, it is worth noting that its pros exceed its cons. As such, it can highly be agreed that the use of tablet computing is important in the education system and should thus be adopted by all learning institutions across the country and throughout the globe.